NVIDIA Driver 590 Drops Pascal Support: Arch Linux Update Guide

Arch Linux is making a major change to how it handles NVIDIA graphics drivers. With the release of driver version 590, the Arch Linux distribution is officially moving to Open Kernel Modules.

Because of this update, some users will see an automatic fix, while others must take manual steps to keep their screens working.

Open Kernel Modules

Arch Linux is replacing its standard proprietary driver packages with open-source versions. This means the software that helps your graphics card talk to your computer is now more transparent. Specifically, the system will swap these packages:

• nvidia becomes nvidia-open.
• nvidia-dkms becomes nvidia-open-dkms.
• nvidia-lts becomes nvidia-lts-open.

In addition to these name changes, the new driver drops support for older hardware. Therefore, you must identify your graphics card model before you update your system.

Who Can Update Automatically?

If you own a modern graphics card, you have nothing to worry about. Users with Turing (RTX 20xx / GTX 1650) or newer GPUs will transition to the new modules automatically. Your system will handle the switch during a normal update, and you do not need to perform any manual tasks.

Warning for Pascal and Older Hardware

The situation is different for users with older hardware. NVIDIA driver 590 no longer supports Pascal (GTX 10xx) GPUs or any older cards. This includes Maxwell and older architectures.

If you update these systems without preparation, the driver will fail to load. So, you may end up confirmedwith a broken graphical environment or a black screen.

How to Update Arch Linux NVIDIA Drivers and Fix Pascal GPU Support

If you have a GTX 10xx series card or older, you must switch to a legacy driver branch to stay supported. Follow these simple steps to keep your system running:

1. Uninstall your current official NVIDIA packages, such as nvidia, nvidia-lts, or nvidia-dkms.
2. Install the legacy driver from the Arch User Repository (AUR) using Paru or Yay helpers.
3. Search for and install the package named nvidia-580xx-dkms.

Some users confirmed that you don't need to uninstall anything. Just find out the installed nvidia packages using command:

pacman -Qss nvidia

Note down the installed nvidia packages (E.g. nvidia, lib32-nvidia-utils, nvidia-utils)

Then install those packages from AUR using Paru or Yay like below:

paru -Syu nvidia-580xx-dkms nvidia-580xx-utils lib32-nvidia-580xx-utils

Everything will be installed without a problem.

After following these steps, your older hardware will continue to function even as the main Arch Linux packages move forward.

Final Thoughts

Arch Linux is embracing NVIDIA's open-source future. While modern card owners can relax, older card owners must act now to avoid a broken system. Always check your GPU model before running a large update to ensure you have the right driver for your hardware.